Putting clothes on pets is a trend that seems to be expanding at a startling rate but is it cute or cruel?
Pet dogs have been through it for a while, with everything from sweatshirts to berets, but it seems to be catching on for other animals , with each passing day. As ferrets become more fashionable they seem to be increasingly likely to be used as fashion models, humanized by their owners.
Now, I’m not going to argue that it doesn’t look cute but is it really necessary? Could you even argue that it’s demeaning to the ferret, denying them the right to exist in a natural state? I’ve certainly started to notice a number of Ferret Rescues, with Terms & Conditions, where clothing the ferret is strictly forbidden for this reason.
I’ve also witnessed ferrets trying to get out of their clothing, treating the garments more like burrowing toys than a way of protecting their modesty! There seems to be a slight choking risk that could come from the ferret trying to wriggle out of their clothing, if it is not well designed.
I guess the other big concern, for me, is the fact that ferrets are pretty furry to begin with. Unless it’s really cold I’d be concerned about the ferret being able to release that heat. Remember that ferrets are quite sensitive to high temperatures, and would certainly not benefit from a sweatshirt on a warm day, same as you or me.
So, in short, I can’t say I’m too keen on the whole ferret clothing thing, personally. I tend to think that humanizing animals like that is best left to Disney!
You may well disagree on that point, but please take this advice to heart. If you must clothe your ferret, please make it a short period only, in the right temperature conditions.
If your ferret will be modeling for you, perhaps the best compromise is to make sure that the clothes seem comfortable and aren’t too tight. Then, take the photos of your ferret looking cute, before returning your pet to a natural state.
What do other ferret owners think about this hot topic? Let me know.
I think ferret clothes are cute and i’ve never noticed my ferret trying to get out of his clothes
don’t worry I don’t put clothes on my ferret when the weather’s hot that’s just cruel.
Those Ferrets are super cute in their clothes!
I was never too keen with clothing on pets in general, unless it’s necessary under certain circumstances.
However, around Christmas I’m thinking of making my pet ferret a little Santa hat and possibly a sweater.
The hat is simply because I want to include my little fuzzy in the festivities of my favorite holiday, but of course if he doesn’t enjoy the hat I won’t make him wear it.
The sweater, however, isn’t because I think it would be fashionable (honestly I think it looks silly) but because the house we will be living in when Christmas rolls around this year does not have heat.
We’ll have space heaters in the bedrooms (we’ll be loading his cage with warm fuzzy blankets too), however I want to make sure he doesn’t get chilly when he ventures into the rest of the house.
All in all, I don’t see much harm in it as long as the pet isn’t being harmed and doesn’t seem annoyed… Well, no harm except maybe their dignity.
To be perfectly honest if I tried to put one of my fuzzies in clothes and they really didn’t like it I would get a sharp nip. I feel they have a right to argue with me. They attempt to wear my clothes pretty often (a sock on the head is the height of fashion dont ‘yknow) if they wern’t so expensive I would get them some little hoodies for walking, partly because I think it’s cute, and partly cos it would keep them warm. I do think that ferret dresses and such is going too far though, I really don’t think a ferret is cheerleader material.. I can only imagine a Jill in a pretty party dress pooping in a corner and doing a war dance =)
i always put ferret clothes on my pet rat’s and they love it because it keeps them cold in the cold winter that we are having at the moment. they even wear them around hey cage when it is cold.
they are really happy wearing them
I think it’s a bit cruel a ferret is a animal it should mantain as free as we can i think clothes are cool and cute but mine doesn’t like them as do i, he always tries to take them of and the clothes can be to tight and overheighted to them
i thinl ferret clothing is a unuseful thing, to me
My ferret Tonka loves his clothes! I don’t have very many for him and he only has them outside during cold days… other than that he runs naked and free. I take him camping and hunting with me and he rides in a pack. When he wants to stretch I simply slip a hoody or vest on him and he struts around showing it off. If I dont have clothes on him and its chilly he forces himself under my hoodie and snuggles down on my shoulder.
I feel that if your animal shows signs of being uncomfortable in clothing then don\’t do it. However, my dog and ferret show excitement when I tell them to put on their clothes. I do not feel that it is cruel because someone that takes the time to dress their animals, more than likely gives their pet more than enough attention, which is what every pet needs.
i think its just adorable seeing them in little outfits they dont seem at all bothered by it either i would love to dress up my two babies in some of the clothes i have seen but id never force
them to wear it if they don’t like it
And winter time is very cold so it seems to be the best time and not to mention Christmas time will be great.
as for hot days no it is cruel and unfair for the ferret
all in all its not cruel unless your forcing your ferret to wear outfits.
i just ordered a little sweat shirt for my piper girl, we keep it pretty cold in our house at night and with winter coming i dont want to risk her getting sick. if she hates it, i will not make her wear it of course, but i hope she will love it because it says “princess” and she is definately my princess. i put sweaters on my dogs as well, one of them LOVES it, one doesnt care and the other one HATES it, but when it is cold it is necessary, she always gets them off anyway….ha ha
Clothes can be used to prevent an animal from picking at a sore or injury, I also volunteer at a bird rescue that uses loose fitting clothes to prevent the birds from getting cold along with preventing them from irritating an injury that is trying to heal. In that respect I have no problem with clothes.